Starting Friday, August 16 through Monday, September 2, officers from the Indiana State Police will participate in the Operation Pull Over, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign. Operation Pull Over is funded by a federal grant through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and allows additional police officers to work overtime with an emphasis on locating and arresting impaired drivers.

During the two week enforcement period, troopers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols targeting impaired and dangerous drivers. The purpose of the enforcement campaign is to remove impaired drivers from Indiana roadways before they cause needless pain, suffering, or death to innocent victims.

Impaired driving remains one of America’s deadliest problems. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2011, 32,367 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle crashes. That same year, 9,878 people were killed in crashes that involved a driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. That means every 53 minutes someone died in a crash involving an impaired driver. In Indiana, in 2011, there were a total of 188,132 crashes, 4,938 involved an alcohol impaired driver, resulting in 140 deaths.

Reminders so motorists can avoid being arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics:

•Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before consuming alcohol.
•Don’t drive a vehicle if you’ve been drinking alcohol. Call a taxi or a sober friend. A cab ride is cheaper than a D.U.I. arrest.
•Take care of your friends. Never let a friend drive while impaired. Take their keys.
•If you are hosting a party, always offer non-alcoholic beverages. Make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
•Never provide alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age of 21.

Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911. Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel. Never follow an impaired driver.

The Indiana State Police is committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the year to apprehend impaired drivers and deter others from drinking and driving.

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